Published: June 28, 2008 10:57 pm            

KITCHELL: Granson will direct his final festival

The best description of Dave Granson’s involvement with the Haynes-Apperson Sports Festival is that what began as a flirtation resulted in a 25-year marriage.

“I had no clue it would still be around this long,” said the only director the Sports Festival has ever known. “We figured we’d try it once and see what happened.”

Obviously Granson underestimated his talents, the dedication of hundreds of volunteers and the area’s love of sports and family.

By now it’s a no-brainer. It’s fact. The Haynes-Apperson Sports Festival has been a smashing success.

Next weekend, Granson’s baby turns 25 and he’s decided it’s time to pass the baton.

It’s a decision that will surely bring a smile to the face of his wife, Lana.

“I told her I was going to give it up after 15 years and again at 20,” he said with a laugh. “She’s given up [the Fourth of July weekend] for a long time now. She’s been a champion through all this.

“I go out with mixed emotions,” he said. “If this event is to continue, it’s time for someone to offer new and energetic ideas. We’re all replaceable and it’s time for someone else to come to the forefront.”

Granson’s efforts and time spent at the helm haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Dave is great community leader,” said Ron Barsh, who has been a steady volunteer at the Kid’s Track Meet. “To give of your time and energy for 25 years to such a huge undertaking is truly amazing.

“He has been able to make our Sports Festival such a wonderful event for so many families and provided some great memories. We should make him the grand marshal of the parade and name the Sports Festival for him. It will be very difficult to fill his shoes.”

Dick Sanburn III, who has had three children participate in the Festival in recent years, has appreciated Granson’s talents of creating the perfect mix of family and sports.

“Dave has really been the heart and soul of the Festival,” Sanburn said. “He’s done a wonderful job of combining family activities with competitive events to provide lifetime memories for families. His passion for the Festival is so contagious that you can’t help but buy into it. That the Festival hasn’t veered from its original intent is a real testament to him.”

In 1983, a smattering of athletic events were held the same weekend as the Haynes-Apperson Festival that started in 1974. From those humble beginnings, the Sports Festival took form.

“I was sitting around one day with [Engel’s Jewelers business partner] John Palumbo and [WWKI owner] Don Rice and I said it would be neat to have a sports festival similar to the White River Park Games,” Granson noted. Others involved in the early planning were Paul Bradley, Les Strunk and Dick Bronson.

Granson then found he had a local connection to Olympic star Wilma Rudolph and bingo — the first Haynes Apperson Sports Festival was off the ground. Rudolph, winner of three track and field gold medals at the 1960 Olympics, would be the first of a long line of sports celebrities to visit the Festival, chat with athletes, parents and fans, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

That first Sports Festival in 1984 attracted nearly 2,000 participants of all ages, competing in 19 events and while sports offered have varied over the years, the Festival itself hasn’t missed a beat.

Some may wonder why Granson would have taken on such a time-consuming project for a quarter of a century with his only pay being an occasional pat on the back.

On the other hand, how could he not?

“There’s nothing in it for me other than the satisfaction of seeing families have fun,” Granson said. “It’s been great for me to watch kids, parents and grandparents interact. If you go to the track meet and watch a 3-year-old long jump, you’ll find it’s hilarious. It’s a win-win situation for everyone and it’s becoming even more special now as we get into second-generation participants.”

Granson’s “thank you” list rivals the size of a small-town phone book and he’s aware none of this who have happened without help. He’s appreciative of the event coordinators over the years — some who have been with him since the start — the hundreds of volunteers, businesses who have opened their wallets in support and of course families who have graciously shared their special moments with all of us.

“We’ve been happy to help raise funds for the car museum and after all, that’s what the weekend is about,” he said. “But as someone said recently the first three letters of fund-raiser are F-U-N and we’ve tried to make the Sports Festival just that.”

A life-long Kokomo resident, Granson says the success of the Sports Festival makes him proud to live here.

As for the rest of us, we’re just proud to know him.

Dave Kitchell is the Tribune’s sports editor. He may be reached at dave.kitchell@kokomtribune.com or (765) 454-8574.

        

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